Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1947 SAFETY AT ROAD CORNERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 47, 30 June 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1947 SAFETY AT ROAD CORNERS

LOCAL bodies have a duty to the public to see that visibility at corners is not obstructed in a way that may cause accidents. That members of the Whakatane County Council are alive to this source of danger is apparent from the discussion at the June meeting regarding corners where hedges and trees should be cut back. 'A start has been made in several parts of the county in this matter, and no doubt more will be done before long. Corners that were safe enough in the horse-and-buggy days or even in the days when motor vehicles were few and far between are no longer safe. Good work has been done at some corners by setting back the fence-line so as to avoid sharp turns and give a clear view. More of this kind of work could be done with advantage. Some owners of corner sections are naturally averse to removing well-grown trees or cutting back or removing hedges. Their co-operation with the county members and officials is most desirable. Local bodies have power to order the cutting back of trees obstructing the view, but they are reluctant to use their powers. They hope for the co-operation of their ratepayers, and generally speaking this is forthcoming. In the campaign for road safety-nothing should be left undone to prevent accidents on the highways. Improving the visibility at corners is one way.